Best Places In The World To Retire

If you're not used to it, you may find Mexican furniture to be very uncomfortable. In a way, that's good, since we shouldn't be sitting as long as we do, health-wise. But heck, we should be able to sleep eight hours without getting stiff!

 

Some people BYOF. If buying local, you'll have to put some time and effort into finding comfy stuff.

 

(Secondhand furniture store and art gallary, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)

If you're not used to it, you may find Mexican furniture to be very uncomfortable. In a way, that's good, since we shouldn't be sitting as long as we do, health-wise. But heck, we should be able to sleep eight hours without getting stiff!

 

Some people BYOF. If buying local, you'll have to put some time and effort into finding comfy stuff.

 

(Secondhand furniture store and art gallary, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)

Belize does not quarantine pets such as dogs or cats. They require documentation from a vet that your pets are up to date on their shots, basically. 
 
That's something that you would want to coordinate ahead of time.  There are companies and customs brokers that specifically handle that.  Belize Agriculture Health Authority are the ones that will qualify the pet when it comes in.  You have to send your documentation to them ahead of time.  They then...

Belize does not quarantine pets such as dogs or cats. They require documentation from a vet that your pets are up to date on their shots, basically. 
 
That's something that you would want to coordinate ahead of time.  There are companies and customs brokers that specifically handle that.  Belize Agriculture Health Authority are the ones that will qualify the pet when it comes in.  You have to send your documentation to them ahead of time.  They then will receive the pet when you arrive.  This is for a regular domestic animal, nothing exotic--- just cats and dogs.

 

(Lucy, the  dog at home at the Serafina home at Carmelita Garden Residences, Belize, pictured.)

There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride.  There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted. 
 
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
 
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There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride.  There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted. 
 
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
 
Because we are so surrounded by sea, on the far coast of Lisbon, we have a river, the Tagus, which separates Lisbon from the south. It is a large river that starts in Spain, crosses Portugal, and finishes in the mouth of Lisbon, at the Atlantic Ocean. So to go to the other side, you have to take bridges. There are three to four bridges. All of the land south of Lisbon, after these bridges, have a vast area of land very sandy, which are called the peninsulas. This is a natural reserve for dolphins. When you are on a boat or a ferry in these areas, you will see a lot of dolphins. Here, you will find an area called Tróia, which is a peninsula. Some of these areas become islands when it is high tide, which only happens at certain times of the year. It is a beautiful area of Portugal because this is where the river meets the sea. This is also a paradise for birdwatchers. They are now developing this area for tourism. A complex of condominiums were just built around this area with villas and timeshares. It is a vast area.
 
There is another development down in the Algarve, which is also in the peninsulas. This whole area is very stunning. It has lots of wildlife and they are very well preserved.  

 

(Tróia Peninsula, Portugal, pictured.)

If you are taking up a new approach to your second stage of life, to challenge yourself to learn a new language (Spanish), to get to know a different culture and customs, to explore a different country, to use Panama as a hub to travel to other countries of South America, to experience tropical hot climate all year around, to get to know new friends, then Panama might be the right place.

 

But if you are looking for a cheap...

If you are taking up a new approach to your second stage of life, to challenge yourself to learn a new language (Spanish), to get to know a different culture and customs, to explore a different country, to use Panama as a hub to travel to other countries of South America, to experience tropical hot climate all year around, to get to know new friends, then Panama might be the right place.

 

But if you are looking for a cheap retirement in Panama City, a banking haven for Americans, this is not the case any more, especially since the President Martinelli signed the exchange information on tax Agreement with United States in 2010.  Also, if you are thinking to hire a low cost maid or worker to serve you, it will be a challenge to find a good and consistent one.  Crime is getting worst with the outcome of a higher population, although overall, Panama is one of safest countries in which to live in South America. Or again, if you are searching for a quiet easy environment for retirees to enjoy, this is not in the city but it is highly in the interior.

 

Above all, there are still a number of advantages to retire in Panama:

As long as you can manage the way how to fit with your personal lifestyle, be prepared, be flexible, and be patient, Panama does have its charms for you to explore.